System and method that generates outputs

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a system and method that generates outputs based on the operating position of a sensor which is determined by the biomechanical positions or gestures of individual operators. The system including a garment on which one or more than one sensor is removably attached and the sensors provide a signal based on the biomechanical position, movement, action or gestures of the person wearing the garment, a transmitter receiving signals from the sensors and sends signals to a computer that is calibrated to recognise the signals as representing particular positions that are assigned selected outputs. Suitably the outputs are audio outputs of an instrument, such as a guitar, and the outputs simulate the sound of a guitar that would be played when the biomechanical motion, action, gesture or position of the operator resembles those that would occur when an actual instrument is played.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and method that generatesoutputs based on the position of a sensor. The position of the sensorcan be related to many variables but is preferably based on the movementor gestures of a person.

According to one embodiment of the present invention the outputs arepreferably in the form of sounds which can be played based on thegestures of a person to produce music.

An example of an electronic musical instrument that plays sound based onmovement and gestures of a person is the “Virtual Air Guitar” systemthat is currently featuring at the Heureka Science Centre in Finland.The Virtual Air Guitar system utilizes visual recognition technologywhereby the hand movements and gestures of a user wearing particulargloves are observed by a webcam and analysed by gesture recognitionsoftware. The software monitors the relative spatial position betweenthe user's hands and assumes that the right hand is located on the bodyof a virtual guitar and that the left hand is located in the fret of thevirtual guitar. Movement of the right hand in an upward and downwarddirection is interpreted as simulating strumming of the guitar whilemovement of the left hand toward and away from the right hand isinterpreted as simulating movement of the left hand along the fret armof a guitar.

The system enables the user to make gestures or actions as if they wereplaying an actual guitar to produce sound within the mathematicalconstraints of the model. However, the optical model has inherentcomplications arising from a single camera source, e.g. it would be verydifficult to play the Virtual Air Guitar behind one's head or if anyother object blocks the operator's hands from the field of view of thewebcam.

Furthermore, in our view it would be difficult to usefully employ thesound produced by the system in a musical performance that is able to bereliably reproduced or played to accompany other musical instruments.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION System of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a system including:

one or more than one sensor and that each sensor is operated over two ormore than two operating positions; and

an electronic device that produces outputs, wherein the electronicdevice receives signals from the or each sensor based on the operatingpositions thereof and the electronic device is calibrated so thatselected operating positions of the or each sensor and thus the signalsreceived by the electronic device are associated with particular outputssuch that, once calibrated, a sequence of outputs can be produced byoperating the or each sensor between operating positions.

Throughout this specification, the notion of the electronic device thatproduces an output embraces electronic devices that transmits an output,plays an output or creates an output that is stored.

It is preferred that the system be in the form of a musical system wherethe outputs are audible outputs. For example, the audible output may beany sound, a single note or a group of notes played together as a chord,riff, bar of music or other section of music. In any event, it ispreferred that the audible output be a pre-recorded or stored sample ofsound. The output may also re-produce the sound of any musicalinstrument including stringed instruments, percussion instruments,brass, woodwind, vocal or any synthesised sound.

The audible output may also be any noise or sound created by a singleinstrument or group of instruments playing together.

Although the electronic device of the present invention may havepre-recorded or stored audible outputs, it is preferred that theelectronic device have the capacity to receive additional outputs asdesired. For example, the additional outputs may be downloaded from theinternet, or supplied on optical computer readable media includingdisks, CDs, DVDs and alike.

It is also preferred that the electronic device may produce or playaccompanying outputs simultaneously with the outputs based on theoperating position of the sensor. For example, the electronic device mayautomatically play a pre-recorded musical track that lacks the sound ofone or more than one musical instrument that can be provided using thesystem of the present invention. In other words, the system can be usedto provide a complete musical sound with the operator providing theirown interpretation to one part of the overall music heard.

It is preferred that the operating positions of the sensor be a functionof the relative angular positions of one or more body joint of anoperator such as finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, back, hip, kneeor ankle joints. It will be appreciated that the angular positions ofthe above mentioned body joints is dependant on a number of factorsincluding flexibility, shape, size, weight and height of individualpeople. An advantage of the system of the present invention is that oncean individual has calibrated the system to their particularbiomechanical movements, the individual through repeating their ownbiomechanical movements can quickly learn to produce sounds and indeed,produce music that can be repeated or even played with other musicalinstruments including multiple devices of the instrument disclosed here.

It is preferred that the system includes a garment or clothing that isworn by a person and that the sensor is fitted to, or incorporated inthe garment.

Although it is possible that the sensor may be any dial, switch, key orcontrol knob, it is preferred that the sensor includes an electricalresistor that provides variable electrical resistance depending on thevarious operating positions of the sensor.

It is preferred that the resistor provides variable electricalresistance that is at least in part responsible for the signals receivedby the electronic device.

In the situation where the system includes a garment and the sensorfitted thereto is in the form a variable resistor, it is preferred thatthe variable resistor be in the form of the arrangement described in ourearlier Australian provisional application 2005905666 dated 13 Oct. 2005and entitled a SYSTEM FOR DETECTING MOVEMENT which is the prioritydocument of International application PCT/AU2006/001521 (WO07/041,806).The patent specifications of the provisional application andInternational application are hereby incorporated into thisspecification by direct reference.

It is preferred that the electronic device is calibrated such that arange of values of the signals from the sensor are associated with aparticular output. In other words, the electronic device preferablyassociates a range of values of signals from the sensor with one or moreoperating positions. In the situation where the signals from the sensorand thus the operating positions are a function of the relative angularorientation of the body joints, it is preferred that the range of valuesof the signal selected for the operating positions are based or derivedfrom the angular range over which the body joints are orientated.

It is preferred that the range of values of the signals from the sensorthat are associated with selected operating position be adjustable. Inother words, the range of signals associated with each operatingposition can be recalibrated on each occasion when a different personuses the system.

It is preferred that the electronic device store the configuration inwhich the system is calibrated or operated for each individual. In otherwords, once the operator has calibrated the system to their particularbiomechanical movements and desired outputs, the personalizedcalibration can be recalled after use of the system by subsequentoperators. Moreover, it is possible for the electronic device to receivethe signals of sensors operated by two or more operators and for theelectronic device to produce outputs based on the signals from thesensors from each operator. The outputs based on the signals and,preferably the biomechanical movement of multiple operators may beproduce or played consecutively, concurrently or simultaneously.

It is preferred that the system include two or more sensors, each havingtwo or more than two operating positions.

When the system includes two or more sensors each having multipleoperating positions, it is preferred that two of the sensors be pairedsuch that at least one of the operating positions of one of the sensorsbe associated with a number of outputs that equals or is less than thenumber of operating positions of the other sensor. In the situation whenthe first sensor has two or more operating positions and the secondsensor has two or more operating positions, at least one operatingposition of the first sensor is associated with two or more outputs andat least one of the operating positions of the second sensor isassociated with an output that identifies or matches with one of the twooutputs associated with each operating position of the first sensor suchthat during use, the electronic device will produce or play one of theparticular outputs associated with the operating positions of the firstsensor that is either: i) identified by the operating position of thesecond sensor or ii) matches the output associated with the operatingposition of the second sensor. In other words, the total number ofpossible outputs is the number of calibrated operating positionmultiplied together. For example, two sensors each calibrated with twooperating positions will enable the system to a total of four outputs.Similarly, when the system contains two sensors, one calibrated withthree operating positions and another calibrated with two, a total ofsix outputs is possible.

Preferably, the number of the outputs associated with each operatingposition of one of the sensors equals the number of operating positionof the other sensor.

It is even more preferred that the system includes two sensors formonitoring the angular position of the elbows of the operator.

The angular orientation of the elbow, and indeed, other bodily jointsmay range from approximately 45 to 180 degrees but is ultimatelydepending on the bodily joint involved and the flexibility of theindividual. In the situation where the sensor monitors the angularorientation of an elbow, it is preferred that a range of values of thesignal and thus the operating positions have an angular orientationranging over 5 to 45 degrees. The range of angular orientation being arange any where between the elbow of the operator being completelycurled and completely extended.

It is even more preferred that each operating position be defined overan angle ranging from 5 to 20 degrees.

It is preferred that the system includes a feedback means thatcommunicates to the operator which operating position the sensor(s)is/are located.

It is preferred that the feedback means includes a means for visuallycommunicating with the operator. Although the visual means may be of anyform including a sequence of lights, dialogue or pictures, it ispreferred that the system includes a monitor for displaying informationon the operating positions to the operator and which operating positionthe sensor is located relative to other operating positions. Thefeedback means may provide this information both during calibration ofthe system and/or during general use of the system.

It is preferred that the visual means includes a picture or schematicillustration of a musical instrument or a part thereof corresponding tothe output sounds and each operating position of the sensor simulatesthe operating position of part of the operator playing the instrument.For example, when the outputs are sample sounds of the guitar, it ispreferred that the feedback means provides visual information thatsimulates the position of a operator's hand on the fret board for theguitar. In another example, the outputs of the system may be sounds ofthe piano and in this situation, it is preferred that the feedback meansprovides visual information that simulates the keys of the key board.

It is also preferred that the feedback means also communicates to theoperator information identifying which particular output has beenassociated with the selected operating positions. Although this may beachieved audibly by the system producing or playing the various outputsassociated with each operating position, it is also possible that thevisual means may display information of the output associated with eachoperating position. For example, it is preferred that the visual meansalso identify that the riff, chord, key, notes, or sounds that areassociated with each operating position.

It is preferred that a period of delay between the sensor being locatedin an operating position and the electronic device producing or playinga particular output associated with the operating position be minimised.This is to ensure that an operator of the system is at least providedwith the perception that the output of the electronic device issubstantially spontaneous or occurs shortly after the sensor is locatedinto an operating position.

It is preferred that the delay period be equal to or less than 50milliseconds, preferably equal to or less than 20 milliseconds.

It is preferred that the delay period be less than or equal to 10milliseconds.

It is preferred that the electronic device has a memory for storing dataon any one or a combination of:

-   -   the operating positions, preferably ranges of values of the        signals of the sensor for the operating positions during        calibration of the system;    -   the outputs, preferably audible outputs; and    -   the allocation of particular outputs to selected operating        positions.

It is preferred that the electronic device has a data process unit forprocess data on any one or a combination of the following:

-   -   carrying out algorithms analysing the signal from the sensor;    -   carrying out algorithms that assessing whether the signals        equals or falls within the ranges of the values of the signals        that identify particular operation positions; and    -   carrying out algorithms that calculate the speed at which the        value of a signal of a sensor changes, and preferably determines        the volume at which an audible output should be played based on        the rate of change of the signal.

According to the present invention there is provided a system including:

a sensor that a person operates over two or more than two operatingpositions; and

an electronic device that produces outputs, wherein the electronicdevice receives signals from the sensor based on the operating positionsof the sensor and the electronic device is calibrated so that selectedoperating positions of the sensor and thus the signals received by theelectronic device are associated with particular outputs such that, oncecalibrated, a desired sequence of outputs can be produced by locatingthe sensor in the respective operating positions.

According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided asystem that generates outputs based on the operating position of asensor which is determined by the biomechanical positions or gestures ofindividual operators. The system including a garment on which one ormore than one sensor is removably attached and the sensors provide asignal based on the biomechanical position, action, motion, movement orgestures of the person wearing the garment, a transmitter receivingsignals from the sensors and sends signals to a computer that iscalibrated to recognise the signals as representing particular positionsthat are assigned selected outputs. Suitably the outputs are audiooutputs of an instrument, such as a guitar, and the outputs simulate thesound of a guitar that would be played when the biomechanical position,action, motion, movement or gesture of the operator resembles those thatwould occur when an actual instrument is played.

According to the present invention there is also provided a garment thatis worn by a person that is operating a system that produces or playsoutputs, the garment including:

-   -   one or more than one sensor that is removably attached to the        garment and at least one of the sensors is operable over two or        more than two operating position; and    -   a transmitter that is removably attached to the garment and        receives signals from the sensors and wirelessly transmits        signals to an electronic device,        wherein the sensors are adapted to transmit signals base on        biomechanical movement and positions of the person wearing the        garment.

According to the present invention there is provided an electronicmusical instrument including:

a sensor that a person operates over two or more than two operatingpositions;

an electronic device that produces and/or plays audible outputs, whereinthe electronic device receives signals from the sensor identifying theoperating positions of the sensor and the electronic device isoperated/calibrated so that selected operating positions of the sensorand thus the signals received by the electronic device are associatedwith particular outputs such that, once calibrated, a desired sequenceof the audible outputs can be produced and/or played by locating thesensor in the respective operating positions.

Although the system of the present invention may be utilised to produceor play sample sounds of any musical instrument, two embodiments of thepresent invention, each relating to particular musical instruments willnow be described in detail.

Guitar Embodiment

According to one embodiment of the invention, the system can beconfigured to simulate an acoustic or electrically amplified guitar. Inparticular, according to this embodiment, it is preferred that one ofthe sensors monitors the angular orientation of an elbow such that thesignals therefrom are, for example, calibrated into at least six ranges,each representing operating positions. Preferably, the six operatingpositions are each associated with a pairs of outputs, each pairrepresenting a chord that produces the sound of a chord played by anupstrum or a downstrum. Monitoring the angular orientation and, thus,the operating position of the sensor in this manner enables movement ofthe elbow to be used to simulate a hand being slid back and forth alonga fret board of a guitar as if selecting for play six different chords.For convenience, this sensor is hereinafter referred to as the fretboard sensor.

According to this embodiment, it is also preferred that another sensor,hereinafter referred to as the strumming sensor, monitors the angularorientation of the other elbow such that the signals from the strummingsensor are calibrated into at least two different operating positions.In particular, the electronic device is calibrated such that two rangesof values of the signal from the strumming sensor are each selected asoperating positions. Preferably, one of the operating positionsrepresents when the elbow is oriented in a curled position and the otherwhen the elbow is oriented in an extended position and the two operatingpositions are separated by a further range of angular orientations thatis not assigned an output. Moreover, the electronic device receives asignal indication that the elbow has moved from the curled position toan extended position, the electronic device can produce or play anoutput that corresponds to a down strumming of the strings of the guitarfor a particular chord determined by the signal from the fret sensor.Similarly, when the electronic device receives a signal indicating thatthe strumming sensor has moved from an extended position to the curledposition, the electronic device can produce or play a sound thatcorresponds to an upward strumming of the guitar of a particular chordor note determined by the signal of the fret broad sensor.

According to this embodiment, the operating positions of the fret boardsensor are associated with a chord or note in the form of either thechord heard as a down strum or an up strum and the system outputs thesound of either version of the chord based on whether the signal fromthe strumming sensor identifies an up strum or down strum. In addition,changes in the signal from the strumming sensor, ie a change in angularorientation of the strumming arm is used as the trigger for eitherplaying or not playing the particular sound and the rate of change ofthe signal determines the volume at sound played. Preferably, volumeincreases with increasing rates of change of the signal.

It is also possible that the signal of the strumming sensor may also becalibrated into 3, 4, 5 or more operating positions. In this situation,each operating position is associated with an output that reflects asingle string of a guitar being plucked or a different aspect ofproducing sound from a guitar.

Tambourine Embodiment

According to another embodiment of the present invention the system isconfigured to simulate a tambourine. In particular, according to thisembodiment it is preferred that a sensor monitors the angularorientation of an elbow such that the signals from the elbow sensor arecalibrated into at least two different positions. One positionrepresents when the elbow is oriented in a curled position and the otherwhen the elbow is oriented in an extended position. Moreover, when theelectronic device receives a signal indication that the elbow has movedfrom the curled position to an extended position, the electronic devicecan produce or play and output that corresponds to a sound thatreplicates or simulates cymbals of the tambourine crashing. In addition,when the electronic device receives a signal indicating that the elbowhas moved from an extended position to the curled position, theelectronic device can produce or play a sound that replicates orsimulates sound of a tambourine that hits an objection such as a hand orleg.

Method of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a method ofoperating a system including one or more sensors having a plurality ofoperating positions and an electronic device for producing or playingoutputs, wherein the electronic device receives signals from the or eachsensor that is based on the operating positions of the sensor(s), andwherein the method including the steps of:

a) adjusting the sensor(s) between different operating positions; and

b) assigning at least one output to the operating positions of the oreach sensor such that when adjusting the sensor(s) between differentoperating positions in accordance with step a), the electronic deviceproduces or plays an output.

It is preferred that the method be a method of operating a musicalsystem and that the outputs be audible outputs. Preferably, the audibleoutputs are a sample of notes, chords, riffs, bar or a section of actualmusic.

It is preferred that step a) includes manipulating the sensor betweenoperating positions so as produce a sequence of outputs.

It is preferred that step a) involves moving the sensor between knownoperating positions having known outputs assigned thereto so as producea known sequence of outputs. The method of the present inventiontherefore enables novice and experienced musicians alike to learn toplay music including music written on a score or even a simplifiedmethod of performance annotation.

In the situation when only one sensor is present, assigning particularoutputs to the operating positions of the sensor is performed on singleoutput per operating position basis.

In the situation when two or more sensors having multiple operatingpositions are present, it is preferred that the two sensors are pairedsuch that step b) involves assigning to at least one of the operatingpositions of the one of the sensors a number of outputs that equals oris less than the number of operating positions of the other sensor. Forexample, in the situation when the first sensor has two or moreoperating positions and the second sensor has two or more operatingpositions, preferably, step b) involves assigning to at least oneoperating position of the first sensor two or more outputs and theoperating positions of the second sensor identifies one of the outputsassociated with each operating position of the first sensor such that,when step a) is carried out, the electronic device will produce or playthe particular output of the operating position of the first sensor thatis identified by the operating position of the second sensor.

It is preferred that the step b) involves assigning a number of theoutputs to each operating position of one of the sensors the number ofoperating positions of the other sensor.

It is preferred that the method includes the step of: c) definingparticular operating positions based on the signal from the sensorreceived by the electronic device. Preferably, step c) involves definingparticular operating positions as a range of values of the signals ofthe sensor received by the electronic device. These can be initiallyprovided by a supplier and later customised by an individual user.

Although the operating positions of the sensor may be defined in anyframe of reference using keys, control knobs, switches and alike, inorder for the invention to be used in situations where gestures are madeas if playing a musical instrument, it is preferred that step c)involves the operating positions be defined by the angular orientationof one or more body parts. Preferably, the operating positions of thesensor be a function of the relative angular positions of one or morebody joints such as finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, back, hips,knees or ankles.

In situations where the operating positions are defined by a range ofvalues of signals and are a function of angular orientation, it ispreferred that the signals from the sensor vary with the angularorientations of the bodily joint.

In the situation where the operating positions are a function of angularpositions of the a body joint, it is preferred that step b) involvesassigning particular outputs to the operating position based on theoperating position resembling the angular position or gesture that wouldbe required when operating an actual instrument. For example, when theinvention is used to produce the sound of a guitar, the operatingpositions and thus the angular orientations of the operator's arms andsuitably their elbows, are co-ordinate with sound of the output. Bycoordinating the operating positions and the outputs in this manner,playing music is intuitive, particular to operators who have priorexperience in playing the actual instrument being simulated andrepresents a method of learning for those of limited experience.

It is preferred that any one or a combination of steps a), b) and c) arecarried out while the electronic device communicates to the operatorinformation relating to either one or both of:

-   -   the operating positions in which the sensor is located; and/or    -   the output assigned to the particular operating positions.

Preferably the information is communicated to the operator by visualand/or audio sources.

It is preferred that the visual source visually communicates all of thepossible operating positions and that the operating position in whichthe sensor is located at a particular time is indicated. Preferably, theinformation communicated to the operator includes a picture or schematicillustration of an instrument or a part thereof and each operatingposition of the sensor simulates the operating position of part of theoperator playing the instrument.

It is preferred that the visual source communicate informationidentifying the particular output assigned to the operating positions.

It is preferred that the audio source audibly communicate to theoperator information identifying which particular output assigned to theoperating positions.

It is preferred that that the method includes the step of: d) storingdata on the signals or the values of ranges from the sensor that havebeen selected as defining the operating positions.

It is preferred that step d) also involve storing data on the outputsassigned to the operating positions. Preferably the data stored by stepd) is stored with reference to the individual operator and, therefore,the electronic device can be readily switched between storedcalibrations/configurations when used by one than one operator.

It is preferred that the method includes analysing the signal from thesensor using an algorithm such that the visual source communicates tothe operator the operating position in which the sensor is locatedrelative to the other operating positions.

It is preferred that the method includes analysing the signal from thesensor using an algorithm that calculates whether the signals equal orfalls within the ranges of the values of the signals that have beenselected as defining the operating positions in accordance with step c).

It is preferred that the method includes analysing the signal from thesensor using an algorithm that calculates the speed at which the valueof a signal of a sensor changes, which in turn, preferably determinesthe volume at which an audible output should be played.

It is preferred that the method includes loading samples of output ontothe electronic device. The samples many be obtained from any sourceincluding the internet and/or from optical computer readable mediumssuitably CD's and DVD and alike.

It is preferred that the method includes playing a partially completemusic at the same time as carrying out step a) such that the outputsplayed by step a) accompanies the music being played.

According to the present invention there is also provided a method ofoperating a system including one or more sensors having a plurality ofoperating positions and an electronic device for producing or playingoutputs based on biomechanical positions or movement of an individualoperator, the method including the steps of:

a) transmitting a signal from the sensors to the electronic device,wherein the sensors are adapted to transmit signals based onbiomechanical movement and positions of the operator; and

b) assigning at least one output to the operating positions of the oreach sensor such that when adjusting the sensors between differentoperating positions, the electronic device produces or plays the desiredoutput.

It will be appreciated that the method of the present invention may alsoinclude any one or a number of the preferred features described underthe heading “System of the invention”, such as:

-   -   period of delay for the output to be produced or played once the        sensor has been located in selected operating position;    -   the signal from the sensor being at least in part formed by        variable resistor and, by of example, has the structure of the        arrangement shown in our earlier provisional application        2005905666; and    -   the outputs being in the form of guitar sounds and two sensors,        each providing signals based on the angular orientation of the        elbows of the operator, and thereafter carrying out steps a) and        b), and optionally steps c) and d) so as to output an actual        guitar being played.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings; of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the components of a systemaccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention whereby thesound of a guitar is played by a computer based on the angularorientation of the elbows of a musician;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the communication channels in thesystem illustrated in the FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a screen shot of a monitor of the computer shown in FIG. 1that provides visual feedback to the musician;

FIG. 4 is a screen shot of a window provided by pressing the “CalibrateFret Arm Sensor” button shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a screen shot of a window provided by pressing the “AssignSamples” button shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a screen shot of a window provided by pressing the “CalibrateStrum Arm Sensor” button shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a graph showing signals based on the angular orientation ofthe elbows of the musician that are received by the computer when thesystem shown in FIG. 1 is configured as a guitar;

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the signal of the fret arm shown in FIG. 5,wherein the graph identifies four operating positions or zones;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the signal of the strum arm shown in FIG. 5,wherein the graph identifies two operating positions or zones;

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the signal for a period of 2 seconds, i.e.from 10 to 12 seconds shown in FIG. 9, wherein the value of the signalis taken every 10 milliseconds; and

FIG. 11 is a screen shot of the computer monitor similar to that shownin FIG. 3 with the screen shot providing visual feedback on the statusof the system to the musician.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be describedwith reference to a system and method that a musician can utilize toproduce the sound of a guitar. In particular, as will be explained ingreater detail below, operation of the preferred embodiment is based onthe angular orientation of the elbows of the musician that are monitoredusing an especially adapted garment. However, it will be appreciatedthat the present invention can be used to produce the sound ofessentially any musical instrument or any other audible output. It iseven possible that the present invention may also be used to controlvisual outputs such as pyrotechnics or light displays. It is also withinthe scope of the present invention that any bodily joint, switch, keysor control knob may be used as the bases on which to control theoperation of the invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the inventioncomprises a garment in the form of a shirt 20, suitably a long sleevedshort made from a textile having elastic properties and is equipped withsensors 21 located in the elbow regions. The shirt 20 also includes atransmitter 22 that wirelessly transmits signals to a receiver 23 thatis coupled to a computer 24 via a USB port or similar connection. Thecomputer 24 may be any suitable PC or McIntosh machine that has amonitor and a processing unit. The computer 24 is connected to speakers25 and amplifier if needed.

The sensors 24 located at the elbow region of the shirt 20 arepreferably in the form of a variable resistor comprising a stiffenedfilament that is fixed to the shirt 20 and held in particular shapeswhile connected to contact points that apply a potential difference tothe filament. The filament is configured between the contact points inshapes such as I, J or hook shapes, C or curved shapes and X crossshapes that change as the textile of the garment is deformed throughbeing stretched and/or compressed. In particular, when a person wearingthe shirt 20 bends their elbow the length of the filament between thecontact points changes and, therefore, changes the electricalresistance. Further detail on the structure of a suitable sensor 21 isprovided in the patent specification of our earlier Australianprovisional application 2005905666 which is now proceeding asInternational application PCT/AU2006/001521 (WO07/041,806). The patentspecifications of the provisional application and Internationalapplication are hereby incorporated into this specification.

When the shirt 20 is worn by a musician, changes in angular orientationof the elbows, as indicated by the direction of arrows A, and thuschanges in the signals from the sensor 21, preferably measured as eitherelectrical current or voltage are conveyed from the transmitter 22 tothe receiver 23 and then directly to the computer 24. The signals fromthe sensors 21 are converted from an analogue signal to a digital signaleither by the transmitter 22 or receiver 23 as desired. The operationalstatus of the system is continuously communicated to the musician by wayof sound from the speakers 25 and by information presented on themonitor of the computer 24.

Communication between the components of the system is shown by thearrows in the flow diagram in FIG. 2. Initially, signals from the sensor21 are conveyed via the transmitter 22 and receiver 22 to the computer24 which is shown in the flow diagram as the hardware interface. Theprocessing unit of the computer 24 using suitable algorithms embedded incoding or suitable software, identified in the flow diagram as the PClogic, analyses the signals received and based on the analysis, thecomputer plays audio outputs via the speaker 25. The audio output can beany sound sample that has been pre-stored but suitably, is in the formof sound that correlate at least in part of the gestures or actions ofthe operator wearing the garment. The sounded produce providing both thedesired audio stimulus and feedback on the operating status of thesystem.

In addition, the operating status and the analysis of the signalperformed by the computer are also fed back to the musician via thecomputer monitor. Both the audio and visual feedback to the musician isdepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 by dashed arrows B and C respectively.

The shirt 20 or garment may be any garment including loose or tightfitting garments to which the sensors 21 are fitted to, or incorporatedin, the fabric of the garment. Ideally, the sensors 21 and transmitter22 are removably attached to the garment by suitable couplings orinterconnecting means including hook and loop fasteners, press studs orco-operating clasps. In the case of the embodiment shown on FIG. 1, thesensors 21 are removably attached to the elbows of the garment andsignals from the sensors 21 at each elbow are conducted to a singletransmitter 22 that is removably located to another part of the garment,suitably remotely located from the sensors 21 so as not to interferewith biomechanical movement of the operator. The sensors 21 andtransmitters 22 may be directly or indirectly attached to the garmentand in the situation where they are indirectly attached preferably thesensors 21 and transmitter 22 are mounted to a separate textilesubstrate which, when in use, is attached to the garment. The textilesubstrate and garment may be made of any suitable fabric includingelasticized or non-elasticized fabrics.

Guitar Configuration

FIG. 3 is a screen shot of the computer monitor we have developed as atemplate to aid in the production of guitar sounds.

The top section of the screen comprises 6 fret boxes, numbered 1 to 6,which represent 6 operating positions on the fret arm of the guitar and,therefore, 6 different chord positions. Fret box 1 represents a chordposition closest to the guitar body and fret box 2 represents the nextchord away from guitar board and so forth until fret box 6 representsthe chord position furthest from the guitar body. Although FIG. 3 showsthat the fret arm is separated into 6 different positions, the templateis entirely configurable in the sense that the number of the fret boxescould be increased up to 12 or more positions if desired.

Located immediately below the 6 fret boxes is a fret line which isbroken into six sections by triangular or arrow symbols. The fret linerepresents the length of the fret arm of a guitar and the length of eachsection between the arrows represents an operating position which inpractice represents a range of angular orientations of the musician'selbows and which correspond with fret boxes 1 to 6. The lines runningdownwardly from the fret line provide a pictorial representation of theoptimal orientation within each section or operating position.

By pressing the “Calibrate Fret Arm Sensor” button located at the righthand end of the fret lines, the window shown in FIG. 4 will appear. Thisenables the boundaries of the operating positions and thus the range ofangular orientations of the musician's elbow defining each chord oroperating position to be adjusted or calibrated individually. Thecalibration process can be implemented a number of ways, however, themost efficient process we have devised is to first calibrate the systemto the fully curled and fully extended positions for the fret sensorwhich is achieved by activating the MIN and MAX buttons shown in FIG. 4,and thereafter segregating or dividing the full range into the requirednumber of operating positions. The operating positions may be evenly orunevenly distributed between the fully curled and fully extendedpositions. If desired, the arrows defining the boundaries of eachoperating position or section of the fret line can be calibrated on anindividual based using the buttons I and VI based on the operators rangeof motion between the fully curled an fully extended positions.

By pressing the “Assign Samples” button in FIG. 3, the window providedin the FIG. 5 will appear. By activating the drop boxes for each fretbox which are labelled Fret 1, Fret 2 . . . Fret 6, a range ofpre-stored sample sounds can be allocated to the particular fret box.FIG. 5 shows that the sample sounds allocated to fret boxes 1, 2, 3 and4 are:

-   -   Chuck down which is a percussion sound;    -   E major;    -   A Major; and

D Major.

Referring back to FIG. 3, located below the fret lines are a strummingarm box that represents the status of the strumming arm of the guitar.By pressing the “Calibrate Strum Arm Sensor” the window shown in FIG. 6will appear. The window shown in FIG. 6 has buttons “from . . . ” and “. . . to” associated with both up strumming and down strumming actions.We have found that in order to simulate the sound produced by thestrumming action, the strumming arm sensor is best calibrated into tworanges of elbow angular orientation that are separated by a range thatis not allocated or interpreted as an action or assigned an output.

Typical signals from the fret and strumming arm sensors are provided inFIG. 7. The voltage signal from the strumming arm sensor is shown as athin line and is substantially sinusoidal and represents a strumming armmotion of about 120 beats per minute. The bold line represents thesignal from the fret arm sensor and is typical of the step wise motionof the hand moving along the fret arm of an actual guitar.

FIG. 8 illustrates the signal of the fret arm sensor shown in FIG. 7. Inaddition, FIG. 8 has four voltage ranges that equate to the ranges ofangular orientation and, therefore, ranges of signals of the fret elbowsensor. By following the calibration process described above in relationto FIGS. 3 to 5, operating positions of the angular orientation of thefret elbow sensor are calibrated as follows:

Voltage range for fret arm sensor Operating Sample sound based onangular orientation position/Part allocated 3.90 to 4.15 1 Chuck down3.80 to 3.90 2 E maj 3.65 to 3.80 3 A maj 3.35 to 3.65 4 D maj

FIG. 9 illustrates the signal from the strumming arm sensor shown inFIG. 7. In particular, the signal is a solid line having a sinusoidalwave form. We have found that a realistic guitar strumming sound isproduced by defining two discrete operating positions or zones withinthe typical arm motion. FIG. 7 indicates the location of two operatingzones, each being defined by a range of angular orientations and,therefore, a range of signals of the strumming arm sensor. Zone 1 rangesfrom the 3.75 to 3.80 volts and zone 2 ranges from 3.95 to 4.00 volts.The algorithms carried out by computer analysis enable the rate ofchange of the signal within each zone to be determined. In the situationwhere the computer determines that the operating zone 1 is played in theupward direction, i.e. an up strum and the fret arm is orientated suchthat when the signal from the fret arm sensor falls within theboundaries set for fret box 3, the output played is that allocated inFIG. 5, i.e. A major as an up strum. In the situation where the computerdetermines that the operating zone is played in the downward direction,i.e. a down strum and the fret arm is orientated such that when thesignal from the fret arm sensor falls within the boundaries set for fretbox 3, the output played is that allocated in FIG. 5, i.e. A major as adown strum. Similarly, fret operating positions 2 and 4 i.e will beplayed as E major and D major as up strums when the strum arm sensordetects an up strum or as down strums when the strum sensor detects adown strum. Although the drop boxes for each fret position shown in FIG.5 show outputs as either “up” or “down” which implies that the output isan up strumming sound or and down strumming sound, in the situationwhere a separate strumming sensor is used, two outputs are allocated toeach fret position, namely the chord play as an up strum or a downstrum. The differentiation between “up” and “down” chords as shown inthe drop box of Fret 4 in FIG. 5 is only applicable if a strummingsensor was not in use and, therefore, the number of output for each fretposition is limit to one. However, when a strumming sensor is used inconjunction with the fret sensor, two outputs, namely soundsrepresenting up and down strumming of each chord can be assigned to eachfret position.

The algorithms used to determine whether the signal falls within theFret boxes 1 to 6 or the strumming zones 1 or 2 may be carried out usingany suitable computer language that enables analysis of analogue and/ordigital data. We have found that this sort of analysis is more easilycarried out on digital data. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the strummingsignal in FIG. 9 for a period from 10 to 12 seconds that has beendigitised by sampling the signal from the strumming arm sensor every 10milliseconds (100 Hz). Each sampling event is indicated by a “+” symbol.The algorithms analyse the rate of the change of the voltage within eachstrumming zone by calculating the spaces between the “+” symbols andthereby determines whether an up strumming is occurring or whether downstrumming is occurring. In addition, the rate of change of the voltageis calculated and is the basis on which the volume of the output isplayed. We have found that the frequency at which the signal is sampledis important to give the musician responsive audio feedback. Generallyspeaking, a signal sampling rate in the order of 1 to 50 millisecondsprovide the musician with an ability to control volume and expression ofthe sound in a realistic manner that simulates the sound of an actualguitar.

FIG. 11 is a screen shot of the computer monitor that is viewed by amusician during a performance and after the calibration of the system.Although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, it is envisaged that the screensbe colour so as to aid in the visability of the information displayed.In the case of FIG. 11, fret box 3 is shaded relative to the other fretboxes indicating that the orientation of the fret arm is such that thesignal from the fret sensor falls within fret box 3. Similarly, lightcoloured bars continuously extend and retract from the left to rightalong the fret arm lines and the strumming arm box which provide visualfeedback on the operating position of the fret and strumming arm sensorat any particular stage.

We have found that it is important to minimise the period between thesystem's output and a change in the orientation of the musician elbow,ie. “motion to sound”. Ideally the system latency for “motion to sound”is less than 50 milliseconds and preferably less than 10 milliseconds togive a good dynamic performance. A latency of 35 milliseconds isgenerally acceptable.

The latency period is an accumulation of:

-   -   the time taken for the signal of the sensor be conveyed from the        transmitter; which according to the preferred embodiment is no        more that 1 or 2 milliseconds;    -   the time taken for the transmitter to transmit the signal to a        receiver thereafter to through a USB port of the computer;    -   the time taken of the central processing unit of the computer        carry out the algorisms to the status of the signals; and    -   the time taken to send an signal to the speakers to emit sound.

One of the benefits of the present invention over other systemspresently available is that depending on the particular outputsallocated to the operating positions, the boundaries of angularorientation of each operating position can be adjusted so that angularorientations resemble or co-inside with the angular orientations for thesame output of a actual instrument.

Those skilled in the art of the present invention will appreciate thatmany variations and modifications may be made to the preferredembodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

For example, rather than the sensor being in the form of variableelectrical sensors as described above, it is possible that the sensorsmay be in the form of optical fibres and that the amount of lightconducted by the fibres and, ultimately, the signal received thecomputer is a function of the bending of the fibres which resembles bodymovement.

As a further example, the output from any bodily motion may be processedin additional conditioning units to create additional effects, such asreverb, distortion and delay, as is customary with existing instrumentrecording and/or effect units and the like.

1. A system including: one or more than one sensor and each sensor isoperated over two or more than two operating positions; and anelectronic device that produces or generates outputs, wherein theelectronic device receives signals from the or each sensor based on theoperating positions thereof and the electronic device or the sensors arecalibrated so that selected operating positions of the or each sensorand thus the signals received by the electronic device are associated orassigned particular outputs such that, once calibrated, a sequence ofoutputs can be produced by operating the or each sensor betweenoperating positions.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein theelectronic device or sensors are calibrated based on biomechanicalmovements of an individual operator.
 3. A system that is operated by aperson to produce desired outputs, the system including: one or morethan one sensor and at least one of the sensors is operated over two ormore than two operating positions; and an electronic device thatproduces or generates outputs, wherein the electronic device receivessignals from the or each sensor based on the operating positions thereofand either one or both of the electronic device and the sensors arecalibrated so that selected operating positions of the or each sensor isbased on biomechanical movements or positions of the person operatingthe system, and wherein the signals received by the electronic deviceare associated or assigned particular outputs such that, oncecalibrated, a sequence of outputs can be produced by operating the oreach sensor between operating positions based on the biomechanicalmovement of individual operators.
 4. The system according to claim 3,wherein the outputs are in the form of either one or a combination ofvisual outputs and audible outputs.
 5. The system according to claim 4,wherein the audible outputs are a pre-recorded sound or a stored sampleof sound.
 6. The system according to claim 4, wherein the audibleoutputs are produced or played with accompanying outputs that areunrelated to the operating position of the sensors.
 7. The systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the sensors includes an electricalresistor that provides variable electrical resistance depending on thevarious operating positions of the sensors.
 8. The system according toclaim 3, wherein the electronic device or sensors are calibrated suchthat the operating positions of the sensors are defined by signals thatvary over a range of values.
 9. The system according to claim 3, whereinthe operating positions of the sensors are defined by a range of angularorientations of one or more body joint of the operator such as but by nomeans limited to finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, back, hip, kneeor ankle joints.
 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the valuesor the range of values of the signals that are associated with selectedoperating positions are adjustable as desired or is able to berecalibrated to suit different individual operators.
 11. The systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the electronic device or sensors storesthe configuration in which the system is calibrated for each individualoperator and the stored configuration can be recalled or re-activatedafter use of the system by other operators.
 12. The system according toclaim 3, wherein the system includes a feedback means that communicatesto the operator which operating position the sensors are located. 13.The system according to claim 12, wherein the feedback means includes ameans for visually communicating to the operator the operating positionof the sensors.
 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein thefeedback means is in the form of a monitor that displays which operatingposition at least one of the sensors is located to the operator relativeto other operating positions of the respective sensor.
 15. The systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the monitor includes a picture orschematic illustration of a musical instrument or a part thereof, andeach operating position represents or simulates biomechanical positionsof the operator playing the instrument which is shown on the monitor.16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the feedback means alsocommunicates to the operator information identifying which particularoutput that has been assigned to each operating position.
 17. The systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the delay between the sensor being locatedin an operative position and the electronic device producing or play thedesired output is equal to or less than 50 milliseconds.
 18. The systemaccording to claim 17, wherein the delay period is less than or equal to10 milliseconds.
 19. The system according to claim 3, wherein theelectronic device has a memory that stores data on any one or acombination of: the operating positions, including ranges of values ofthe signals of the sensor that define operating positions; the outputs,including audible outputs; and the assignment or allocation ofparticular outputs to selected operating positions.
 20. The systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the electronic device has a data processunit that processes data on any one or a combination of the following:carrying out algorithms analysing the signal from the sensor; carryingout algorithms that assess whether the signals equals or falls withinthe ranges of the values of the signals that defines calibratedoperation positions; and carrying out algorithms that calculate thespeed at which the value of a signal of a sensor changes, and therebydetermines the volume at which an audible output should be played basedon the rate of change of the signal.
 21. The system according to any oneof claim 3, wherein the system includes two or more sensors, and eachsensor having two or more than two operating positions.
 22. The systemaccording to claim 21, wherein two of the sensors are calibrated suchthat at least one of the operating positions of one of the sensors isassociated with multiple outputs, or allocate a number of outputs, andthe number of outputs equals or is less than the number of operatingpositions of the other sensor such that the total maximum number ofpossible outputs is the number of calibrated operating positions of thesensors multiplied together and the output generated is determined bythe operating position of both of the sensors.
 23. The system accordingto any one of claim 3, wherein the system includes two sensors formonitoring the angular orientation of the elbows of the operator. 24.The system according to claim 23, wherein the sensors and/or electricaldevice are calibrated such that the operating positions have an angularorientation ranging from approximately 5 to 45 degrees.
 25. The systemaccording to claim 24, wherein the sensor and/or electrical device arecalibrated such that the operating positions are defined over angularorientations ranging from 5 to 20 degrees.
 26. The system according toclaim 23, wherein one of the sensors, namely a fret sensor, monitors theangular orientation of one of the operator's elbow and is calibratedinto at least six ranges, each representing or simulating biomechanicalpositions of an operator's elbow on the fret board of a guitar.
 27. Thesystem according to claim 26, wherein the six operating positions of thefret sensor are associated with a pair of outputs, each pairrepresenting a chord of a guitar that produces the sound of the chordplayed by an upstrum or a downstrum of a guitar.
 28. The systemaccording to claim 26, wherein another sensor, namely a strummingsensor, monitors the angular orientation of the other elbow such thatthe signals from the strumming sensor are calibrated into at least twodifferent operating positions.
 29. The system according to claim 28,wherein one of the operating positions represents when the elbow isoriented in a curled position and the other when the elbow is orientedin an extended position and the two operating positions are separated bya further range of angular orientations that is not assigned an output.30. The system according to claim 29, wherein when the electronic devicereceives a signal from the strumming sensor indicating that the elbowhas moved from the curled position to an extended position, theelectronic device produces or plays an output that corresponds to downstrumming a particular chord determined by the signal from the fretsensor, and when the electronic device receives a signal indicating thatthe strumming sensor has moved from an extended position to the curledposition, the electronic device produces or plays a sound thatcorresponds to an upward strumming of the guitar of a particular chordthat is determined by the signal of the fret sensor.
 31. The systemaccording to claim 28, wherein the rate of change of the strummingsensor determines, at least in part, the volume at which outputs areplayed.
 32. The system according to claim 28, wherein the strummingsensor is calibrated into 3 or more operating positions and eachoperating position is associated with an output that reflects a singlestring of a guitar being plucked.
 33. The system according to claim 1,wherein the system includes a transmitter that receives signals from thesensors and wirelessly transmits signal to the electronic device. 34.The system according to any one of claim 1, wherein the system includesone or more textile substrates to which one or each of the sensors arefitted or incorporated and the textile substrates is able to beremovably attached to a garment worn by the operator of the system. 35.The system according to claim 33, wherein the system includes a garmentto which the sensors are directly or indirectly removably attached,thereby allowing the garment to be refreshed by washing or placedentirely as desired.
 36. The system according to claim 35, wherein thetransmitter is directly or indirectly removably attached to the garment.37. A method of operating a system including one or more sensors havinga plurality of operating positions and an electronic device forproducing or playing outputs, wherein the electronic device receivessignals from the or each sensor that is based on the operating positionsof the sensors, and wherein the method includes the steps of: a)adjusting the sensor(s) between different operating positions; and b)assigning at least one output to the operating positions of the or eachsensor such that when adjusting the sensor(s) between differentoperating positions in accordance with step a), the electronic deviceproduces or plays an output.
 38. A method of operating a systemincluding one or more sensors having a plurality of operating positionsand an electronic device for producing or playing outputs based onbiomechanical positions or movement of an individual operator, themethod including the steps of: a) transmitting a signal from the sensorsto the electronic device, wherein the sensors are adapted to transmitsignals based on biomechanical movement and positions of the operator;and b) assigning at least one output to the operating positions of theor each sensor such that when adjusting the sensors between differentoperating positions, the electronic device produces or plays the desiredoutput.
 39. The method according to claim 38, wherein the outputs areaudible outputs including notes, chords, riffs, bars of music, or anysection of actual music.
 40. The method according to claim 38, whereinthe method includes moving the sensor between known operating positionshaving known outputs assigned thereto so as produce a known sequence ofoutputs.
 41. The method according to claim 38, wherein the methodincludes step c) which involves calibrating the sensors or electricaldevice so as to define the operating positions of the sensor based onselected biomechanical positions of individual operators.
 42. The methodaccording to claim 41, wherein step c) involves defining particularoperating positions over a range of select biomechanical positions andthus, calibrate the operating positions relative to a range of values ofthe signals of the sensors received by the electronic device.
 43. Themethod according to claim 42, wherein the biomechanical movement orposition is a function of the angular orientation of one or more bodyjoints such as finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, back, hips, kneesor ankles.
 44. The method according to claim 43, wherein step b)involves assigning outputs to the operating positions based on theoperating positions resembling the angular orientation or gestures thatwould be required when operating an actual instrument.
 45. The methodaccording to claim 41, wherein any one or a combination of steps a), b)and c) are carried out while the electronic device communicates orpresents to the operator information relating to either one or both of:the operating position of the sensors and whether this falls within thecalibrated operating positions; and/or the type of output assigned tothe calibrated operating positions.
 46. The method according to claim45, wherein the information is presented or communicated to the operatorby visual and/or audio sources.
 47. The method according to claim 46,wherein the visual source displays to the operator all of the possibleoperating positions of the sensors and, at any point in time, theoperating positions in which each sensor is located.
 48. The methodaccording to claim 47, wherein the visual source is a monitor thatdisplays to the operator a picture or schematic illustration of aninstrument, or a part thereof, and each operating position that has beencalibrated approximately simulates the biomechanical position that anoperator would assume when playing the instrument depicted in themonitor.
 49. The method according to claim 46, wherein the visual sourcedisplays information identifying the type of output assigned to eachoperating position.
 50. The method according to claim 48, wherein thetype of output that has been assigned to the operating positions isbased on or matches outputs of an actual instrument that resembles thebiomechanical position of an operator playing the instrument depicted.51. The method according to claim 41, wherein the method furtherincludes step d) that involves storing data on the signals or the rangeof values of the signals that have been calibrated as defining theoperating positions.
 52. The method according to claim 51, wherein stepd) also involves storing data on the outputs assigned to the operatingpositions.
 53. The method according to claim 51, wherein step d) storesdata profiles relating to either one or a combination of operatingpositions and outputs assigned to each operating position with referenceto individual operators, and the electronic device can be switchedbetween different stored profiles to facilitate use by more than oneoperator without requiring recalibration.
 54. The method according toclaim 41, wherein the method includes analysing the signals from thesensors using an algorithm that calculates whether the signals equal orfalls within the ranges of the values of the signals that have beenselected as defining or calibrated with the operating positions inaccordance with step c).
 55. The method according to claim 41, whereinthe method includes analysing the signals from the sensors using analgorithm that calculates the rate of change of the value of the signalsof the sensors, and in turn, determines the volume at which an audibleoutput is played.
 56. The method according to claim 41, wherein themethod includes playing a partially complete piece of music at the sametime as carrying out steps a) and b) to accompany the music beingplayed.
 57. The method according to claim 41, wherein the systemincludes two or more sensors having multiple operating positions andstep b) involves assigning to at least one of the operating positions ofthe one of the sensors a number of outputs that equals or is less thanthe number of operating positions of the other sensor.
 58. The methodaccording to claim 41, wherein the system includes two sensors formonitoring the angular orientation of the elbows of the operator. 59.The method according to claim 58, wherein step c) involves calibratingthe sensors or electrical device such that the operating positions ofthe elbows of the operator have an angular orientation ranging over fromapproximately 5 to 45 degrees.
 60. The method according to claim 59,wherein the sensor and/or electrical device are calibrated such that theoperating positions are defined over angular orientations ranging from 5to 20 degrees.
 61. The method according to claim 58, wherein one of thesensors, namely a fret sensor, monitors the angular orientation of oneof the operator's elbow and is calibrated into at least six ranges, eachrepresenting or simulating biomechanical positions of an operator'selbow on the fret board of a guitar.
 62. The method according to claim61, wherein the six operating positions of the fret sensor areassociated with a pair of outputs, each pair representing a chord of aguitar that produces the sound of the chord played by an up-strum or adown-strum of a guitar.
 63. The method according to claim 61, whereinanother sensor, namely a strumming sensor, monitors the angularorientation of the other elbow such that the signals from the strummingsensor are calibrated into at least two different operating positions.64. The method according to claim 63, wherein one of the operatingpositions represents when the elbow is oriented in a curled position andthe other when the elbow is oriented in an extended position and the twooperating positions are separated by a further range of angularorientations that is not assigned an output.
 65. The method according toclaim 64, wherein when the electronic device receives a signal from thestrumming sensor indicating that the elbow has moved from the curledposition to an extended position, the electronic device produces orplays an output that corresponds to down strumming a particular chorddetermined by the signal from the fret sensor, and when the electronicdevice receives a signal indicating that the strumming sensor has movedfrom an extended position to the curled position, the electronic deviceproduces or plays a sound that corresponds to an upward strumming of theguitar of a particular chord that is determined by the signal of thefret sensor.
 66. The method according to claim 63, wherein the strummingsensor is calibrated into 3 or more operating positions and eachoperating position is associated with an output that reflects a singlestring of a guitar being plucked.
 67. A garment that is worn by a personthat is operating a system that produces or plays outputs, the garmentincluding: one or more than one sensor that is removably attached to thegarment and at least one of the sensors is operable over two or morethan two operating position; and a transmitter that is removablyattached to the garment and receives signals from the sensors andwirelessly transmits signals to an electronic device, wherein thesensors are adapted to transmit signals base on biomechanical movementand positions of the person wearing the garment.
 68. The garmentaccording to claim 67, wherein the sensors and transmitter are attachedto different sections of the garment and are interconnected by aconductive medium such as a yarn or thread that conveys signals from thesensor to the transmitter.